Month: March 2022

Three things to do before looking for a job as an international student in Canada

1-Update your resume to meet Canadian expectations

The resume format employers look for might be different in Canada. Here is a list of some important tips when developing your resume:

  • Do not list personal information such as nationality, gender, religion, marital status or date of birth. A photo is not necessary and is generally best to exclude, though may be accepted in specific situations, for example, when applying for creative roles.
  • Personalize your resume to reflect skills and accomplishments from paid and unpaid experiences.
  • Include your international experience and education if it’s related to the position you are seeking.
  • Emphasize any languages that you speak in addition to English.
  • Include a customized cover letter, even if it is not requested.
  • Have your documents triple-checked for syntax, grammar and spelling errors.

2-Look for opportunities to gain experience in Canada

Getting local experience will help you become familiar with the culture and language and show employers that you can adapt to the employment market around you.

Gaining this experience doesn’t necessarily need to be a paid position. A volunteer or internship position is beneficial to building experience in your field, and will add value to your resume.

3- Get ready for the interview process

What employers look for and evaluate in an interview process might be different in Canada. Here are some recommendations to help you make a good first impression:

  • Arrive 15 minutes early – don’t let anyone wait for you.
  • If you have an online interview, check your internet connection and open the link a few minutes before. You will likely wait in a virtual waiting room.
  • Respect the personal space and privacy of others.
  • Dress the part. This applies whether you are in person or online for your interview. If you’re unsure what is appropriate, always air on the side of being one step higher than you think you should be.
  • Practice good hygiene.
  • Make eye contact.
  • Prepare a few open-ended questions for the end of the interview.

If you need help preparing for a new job or career, the Employment Support Centre at Algonquin College is here to guide you. This Thursday, March 31, the Centre is hosting an online Job and Career Workshop designed for International students. Register now to learn how to improve your interview skills.

The Employment Support Centre is located within the Welcome Centre. Visit the website for more information and tips. You can also book an appointment by emailing welcomecentre@algonquincollege.com or calling 613.727.4723 ext. 7200.

Co-op placements at AC can be the gateway to career success

When Marconi Fonseca started his first semester in the Computer Programming program at Algonquin College (AC), he chose a co-op program because he thought it would help him have more opportunities to enter the job market. He had his co-op placement with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and after completing the program, he was invited to stay as a full-time employee.

“The co-op department helps students get ready to find a co-op opportunity,” says Fonseca. “They helped us with our resumes and mock interviews. It was a great support system. In the AC co-op portal, we have access to all co-op opportunities, and there are great partnerships with various companies and even the government.”

Fonseca says that the content taught in the program and his experience working on campus were two crucial pieces that helped him succeed while doing his placement.

He worked as a Student Printer Supporter Technician during his program at AC. In this position, he wasresponsible for ensuring that printers throughout the campus were up and running, monitoring printer lab print activity, assisting students with downloading and installing print software, drivers and more.

“I’ve been able to use all the background education we received at Algonquin in the co-op position,” says Fonseca. “With the work on campus, I learned about teamwork, working with different people and cultures, and it helped me to adapt.”

When Fonseca started his co-op with the CRA, he began as a Local IT and held a four-month position. He then saw another opportunity with the CRA through AC’s co-op portal, and he applied for an IT developer position. When he graduated, he was hired full time, and a year after, he was promoted to an IT Analyst.

“Co-op is a plus. It gives you more possibilities in my opinion. It is a great opportunity to enter the job market,” says Fonseca.

Yene Paz, User Experience Researcher at a private company, was also hired full-time after her co-op placement. She was in the Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design program at AC and said that having professors that work in the field was one of the most significant assets in the program.

“The professors have the knowledge from different projects and real experience in the field, so I feel that the program is really good and prepares everyone for success,” says Paz.

Paz has also highlighted her professors’ commitment to help students find placement opportunities, and always incentivizing them to apply for any position.

Paz’s program was fully remote, and she says that learning how to work in that environment has helped her in her current remote position.

“I work remotely, and it’s totally different from the interactions that you have when you’re working in person. We had the opportunity to see and use different tools to collaborate and work with each other remotely, so I think it was also something important that prepared me for my co-op and for my job as well.”

To learn more about co-op programs and opportunities, visit the Cooperative Education website.

 

 

 

 

15 study tips from students just like you!

Prepping for a test, working on a big project, or getting ready for exam season?

There are a million different ways to study and countless strategies to help you study in a way that works best for you. We asked AC students to share their tips for successful studying and we’ve compiled them here for you!

“Get Sleep!”

“Try studying with others!”

“Remember to take breaks and get snacks”

Switch things up, “Try Quizlets”

“Do smaller tasks first, so all attention can be focused on the larger ones”

Mix things up “Highlight”, “Colour Code”, “Study smart: use many learning modalities including pics and videos”, or try using “Flow charts and diagrams”

“Before starting, read the instructions, then read and organize information, then get started.”

“Just start somewhere, anywhere”

“Do some exercise before sitting down to study”

“Try the Pomodoro method”

“Find a good environment to work in – some people do better with background noise and different environments”

“Try Meditation before studying”

“Eat healthy, sleep well, and take some rest before the exam day”

“Study with no pressure and free mind”

“Coffee”

If you are finding that you could use some additional support in your studies we highly recommend reaching out to Student Support Services. They have a wide variety of resources, workshops, and support available to help all students succeed.